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Important Innovations

Our blog is dedicated to detailing important innovations beneficial to humanity. As national journalists, we provide information in an understandable, exciting and accessible manner. We cover all forms of breakthrough innovation including robotics, aviation, medicine, agriculture, technology, space, transportation and artificial intelligence.

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New Energy Generator Powers Small ElectronicsSource: NUS DeviceThis is An Electrifying Invention This new invention is called a shadow-effect energy generator. It's the stuff of science fiction but it's real. The device produces a current from the differences between bright light and shadowy areas. The bigger the contrast in light the more energy it produces. The device can produce enough energy to power a small electronic device like an electronic watch. The materials scientist inventor - Swee Ching Tan of the National University of Singapore - says this allows us to "harvest energy anyplace on Earth." Shadows of Value The new device is similar to a solar cell. Tan created the generator by placing a thin coat of gold over silicon. Light shining on the silicon energizes its electrons. With the gold layer, the generator produces a current when part of the device is in shadow. Next Steps and Potential Skyscraper Future At this point the team is working to increase …

Toyota's New JV in ChinaFocus: Hydrogen Fuel Cell SystemsToyota is betting on a hydrogen fueled future. The Japanese auto giant is launching a new joint venture to build hydrogen fuel cell systems with 5 Chinese automotive companies. The joint venture will be based in Beijing. The Chinese automakers include Dongfeng Motors, FAW Group, GAC, Beijing Sinohytec and Beijing Automotive. An initial $46 million is being invested and Toyota holds a 65% share of the JV

Toyota's Hydrogen CityToyota has a major belief in and commitment to hydrogen as an energy source. Today's JV announcement with the 5 Chinese automakers expands upon it. Toyota has introduced its Mirai hydrogen-electric powered car. And, Toyota is building what it calls the "city of the future" at the base of Mt. Fuji, Japan. The city will be powered by hydrogen fuel cells. And it will function as a living laboratory for hydrogen power, smart homes, autonomous cars, AI and other technologies.Zero Emis…

Booming Drone BusinessChina's Ehang is the world's 1st autonomous aerial vehicle (AAV) & eVTOL company approved to perform commercial trials of carrying heavy cargo in its passenger drones. The pilotless Ehang 216 drones can carry two passengers, go up to 80 mph and travel a distance of 19 miles. It's now the first drone company in the world that is cleared to perform a series of trial tests with the drone carrying cargo loads of 330 pounds and more. Global Market Size Ehang founder and CEO Hu Huazi says the Chinese regulatory authority's clearance will accelerate the commercialization of AAV/eVTOL technology and air mobility solutions for logistics. He adds it's a foundation for the world to establish a coordinated and sustainable regulatory environment. The global market potential for eVTOLs is huge. Morgan Stanley estimates it at $1.5 Trillion by 2040. 30% of the market share is forecast to belong to Chi…

Avoiding Crowds on Mass TransitMost of the world's electric vehicles have two or three wheels - not four! More than 180 million electric bikes and electric trikes are in use globally. Bloomberg NEF forecasts that the number will escalate to 600 million by 2040. By far, China accounts for most of the e-bikes and e-trikes. But sales are also rapidly rising in Europe, the US, India, Taiwan and Vietnam. The number of electric cars won't come close to 600 million any time soon.

Changes to Global Transportation Through Pedal PowerThe e-bikes and e-trikes are driving major changes in global transportation. They are responsible for more avoided oil consumption than any other transportation vehicle category. e-bike technology is hitting stride as the bikes become lighter and faster. Pedal assisted models can reach speeds up to 30 mph, helping people to commute, avoid public transportation and get exercise along the way. 2020 was suppose to be the year of the e…

New Mode of Flying - SPEEDERJet Pack Aviation of California is in the business of inventing jet packs as a new means of transportation for consumers and the military. Their latest flying model - the Recreational SPEEDER, they say, is like riding a motorcycle in the sky. It's the first turbine powered, fully stabilized VTOL (vertical take off and landing) personal aircraft ever built. Because it is fully stabilized, very little training to fly it is required. The vehicle is in the flight testing phase. It is a brand new form of personal air mobility.

Consumer and Military Versions of SPEEDERSPEEDER has a maximum speed of 150 mph, a range/endurance of 30 minutes and maximum thrust of 1200 pounds. As it's a VTOL, it can take off and land almost anyplace and can fly up to 15,000 feet in altitude. There are two recreational versions. An ultralight version that requires no pilot's license, goes up to 60 mph and is limited to fiv…

Marriott CEO's Global Hotel PerspectiveThe pandemic was particularly inhospitable to the global hospitality industry. As Covid-19 cases soared, air travel ground to a halt, lockdowns forced people to shelter at home and bookings at global hotel chains plummeted. At Marriott, room occupancy rates dropped to 5% in some US hotel properties and to 7% in Marriott hotels in China. The rates have rebounded in China to 40% and in the US to 20%. CEO Arne Sorenson says he's starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel for global hotels: a pickup in personal and business travel.

Profound Economic ImpactSorenson says the impact of the pandemic on Marriott's global business is worse than 9/11 and the 2008 financial crisis combined. He doesn't expect global occupancy to return to the average of 71% for a few years. But there are positive signs. US downloads of top online travel agency apps like Expedia have comeback to pre-pa…

Retrofitted, Electric Cessna Commuter PlaneA Cessna commuter plane, retrofitted to be all electric powered, has been successfully test flown in Washington state. It is the biggest electric plane now flying. It's the invention of electric motor maker MagniX of Redmond, Washington and flight testing contractor AeroTEC. They converted a 9 passenger, single engine Cessna 208B Grand Caravan into an electric plane that flies on battery power.

"Electric Flight Is Here"In its test flight, the Cessna Grand Caravan flew for 30 minutes and made a picture perfect landing. AeroTEC CEO Lee Human says the demonstration proves "electric flight is here today." The two companies hope to have FAA approval of their all electric aircraft by late 2021 in order to begin commercial operations.

Proof of e-FlyingThe flight of this electric plane establishes several aviation milestones. It is proof that green electric flying can perform and…